Category Archives: Art News

The Heart of a Twitter Artist

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This is cross-posted in the Huffington Post Culture Section.

Art has always been an important part of civilization. It provides a road map of where we have been, shows us who we are, and gives us an idea of what’s possible. Stylistically and substantively, social media is increasingly playing a part in the work of some 21st century artists like Gaby Zwaan.

Originally from The Netherlands, Zwaan made a huge splash at this year’s 140 Conference, which is long respected as a winning platform for both emerging talent and dynamic personalities. And he clearly made the most of his appearance. Dressed in a cool suit and sneakers, his energetic presentation and Twitter-themed art made him an instant audience favorite.

Zwaan’s work is masterful, thought-provoking, visually-stunning, and brilliantly expressive. I’m sure this is what the Tour de France organization saw when they approached him in 2010 for a project. As an arts geek, I can tell you that there are probably 140 reasons to love and appreciate the work of Gaby Zwaan. Maybe even 141. Either way, his star is on the rise.


You were the big draw at Jeff Pulver’s huge 140 Conference back in June. Everyone loved your art. What has the experience been for you since then?

I really liked being at the #140conf. It was interesting and a great way for me to show myself. Speaking on stage with Jeffrey Hayzlett was really great and painting two twitter-inspired pieces the next day topped it off. But what was the icing on the cake was the love of all the people that where there and came to talk to me. I always love it when people tell me what my work makes them feel like or what it reminds them off. After the 140 conference, I was also in New York for a meeting with a gallery. They loved my work and in early October, I will be showing in New York City. A dream come true! I also signed on with an agency that will represent me in the USA.Once home I started painting for my NYC show and got all 14 pieces done.

I can tell you love Twitter from some of your artwork. How does the site’s 140 character platform appeal to you?



Yes I do like twitter. I see it as a way to show people what I’m doing, and more important, what I’m all about. When Van Gogh, another famous Dutch painter had something to share he always wrote letters to his brother. I was in the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam and I saw some of those letters on the walls there. I have a vision that one day my tweets will be on a wall in a museum. I see twitter as part of my DNA. It is just as important to me as the paint I use. Could not do what I do without both.

One of Zwaan’s Twitter-inspired paintings.

Courtesy of Gaby Zwaan.

How important do you think art has been to civilization?

When I check the news every day I almost have to think there is no civilization anymore. So I hope art was not important to getting us into this mess. What I do think is that all forms of art will bring us some positive light that will get us through this mess and hopefully back to a bit more civilized world. And I can only hope that at least one person that looks at my work and has a better day then he/she would have had if my art was not there.

Who are some of the artist who have influenced, inspired, and/or shaped your artistic vision?



I have to say none actually. I only started painting in the summer of 2007 and before that I thought art was uninteresting. I never went to a museum. Well, once but that was to impress a girl (laughs). I knew some painters, mostly the Dutch masters but that was about it. Once I started painting I started to get interested in art. Somehow people always want to compare your work/style to other artists and I’ve been compared to many many but different ones all the time.

What influenced me is the way street artists think and the way they act. I like that and I think that it helped me to do just what I feel like doing. I like doing stuff with balls and that is what street artist do too. I like to take on the impossible, like showing in a amazing gallery in New York. That’s something I just went for even though some people said it was not going to happen at this point in my career. When people tell me I will not get there, it inspires me the most. I’m like an athlete, I want to win. And then once I cross the finish line, I put the bar higher again. I thrive on challenges.


For more info on Gaby Zwaan and his amazing, eclectic work, follow him on his Twitter feed and check out his personal site.

The Artistic Beauty of Isa Zapata

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This is cross-posted in the Huffingtonpost Arts Section.

Years ago, an entertainer explained the meaning of “Art as Life.” It is, this person says, when something culturally dynamic introduces you to a new experience and informs your thinking, nurtures your spirit, and expands your horizons. Indeed, this could easily be the description of the work of artist Isa Zapata.

With a spirit as irrepressible as her smile, Zapata has become one of the art world’s most respected voices. Since her breakout year in 2005, her art, home décor, and fashion lines have generated major buzz. Indeed, her hand-painted furniture, eco-friendly handbags, and “Limited Edition” t-shirts are just a few of the amazing products wowing consumers.

A few months ago, her illustrations graced the pages of the bestselling children’s book Today I am Happy. This seems fitting because Zapata always encourages people to see things through the eyes of a child. That’s the only way, Zapata believes, one can appreciate and see the fullness of what life has to offer.

Grateful for her success, Zapata is fully committed to charity. In fact, proceeds from her Limited Edition t-shirts benefit the MY Art Project, a foundation she started that funds art classes for underprivileged students in Miami, Florida, and Fundacion los niños del Campo, a foundation in Columbia run by a friend.

She’s one of the smartest women I know, and one of the great women in social media. Here’s hoping her example of excellence will continue being a beacon of light, and that our lives will continue to be touched and transformed by her inspirational presence, fantastic work, and positive spirit.

To see more of Isa Zapata’s amazing creations, fan her on her Facebook page and follow her on her Twitter feed.

Twitter’s Lori McNee, and the Art of Love

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This is the latest post in our series, TwitterPowerhouses, which focuses on the contributions of people who’ve helped to expand, influence, and redefine how we view social networking. This is cross posted in the Huffingtonpost Arts Section.

“I would like to paint the way a bird sings.” ~Monet

To artist Lori McNee, these aren’t just words, but words to live by. Indeed, birds are one of the best ways of explaining her artwork: beautiful like the Flamingo; expressive like the Peacock; and like the Eagle, it soars! Her passion for wildlife and the environment give energy and dimension to her masterpieces, which are inspiring a new generation of artists.

McNee has thrilled audiences and art collectors for more than a quarter of a century. She has studied with some of the giants in her field, and her work has been featured in some of the world’s leading magazines. And, she generously gives much needed tips and info to other artists. This is why she’s a favorite on PlumTV, and one of the 100 most powerful women on Twitter.

Talking with her is like a breath of fresh air. She’s an artistic superstar who doesn’t talk endlessly about “followers” and “listings”. Her conversation is mostly about how her love for the outdoors informs her artwork, and about helping others in times of need. She’s a fantastic woman who believes strongly in the Power of Twitter, and whose amazing life is, quite beautifully, a work of art.

How do you use Twitter and other forms of social media to connect with your fans?

My teenagers were shocked to find me on social media. First blogging, and now Facebook & Twitter! Being an artist is often a solitary profession, so social media is a great ‘social outlet’ for me. I took to it like a duck takes to water! I started FineArtTips as a way of sharing my artistic knowledge and journey. It is my way of ‘giving back’ to my art community. However, once I started my art blog, I knew that I needed social media to get my message ‘out there’ to a larger audience.

Twitter is one of the quickest ways to build brand recognition. There is no faster way to deliver a message, and no better way to have your message go viral than through the power of social media. I use Facebook as a way to nurture and make deeper connections, share a bit more of my personality and my own artwork, and easily see what’s up with my fellow artists and friends. Recently, I have been learning how to film and edit ‘how to’ videos which I share on YouTube – my fans seem to enjoy these.

You mentioned to me that there are two key factors that help me connect with your fans on Twitter & Facebook. Explain that.

The two key factors are content and relationships. Twitter is an ‘information-network’, so I must give a good reason for people to follow me. I do my best to provide informative, accurate, and thought provoking content. Once you begin to gain a following, you can connect, engage and build lasting relationships. I am recognized as a leader in my field because I am a working artist who has personally built strong connections. I do my best to practice what I preach! I truly do care about my followers and fans, and do my best to personally thank and connect with them. This can take a bit of time away from my painting, but in the long run, it pays off in a tremendously positive and powerful way. In fact, the quality of my art has even improved! There are real, caring supportive people on the other end with valuable connections and relationships to be made. I absolutely love social media!

Where do you get the inspiration to create such amazing artwork?

The great outdoors and its creatures have always been an important part of my life. Much of what I paint is connected to my past. During my childhood in Arizona and California, I would spend many hours trying to catch the birds that flocked to our yard. Finally, I decided to capture the birds on paper with a pencil. I have been drawing and painting ever since.

I have lived in the central mountains of Idaho for over twenty-five years where I am constantly surrounded by artistic inspiration. It is not uncommon to find me four-wheeling in the back-country, or hiking with my three dogs on high mountain trails, carrying my paint box on my back. While painting the landscape out in the field, Mother Nature is in charge. However, when setting up a still life painting, I am able to create my own small universe in my studio. These paintings echo the delicate balance between nature and man. The arrangements are a juxtaposition of nature-made and man-made elements and most often include birds.

Whether in the field or studio, I respond to the effects of color, light and atmosphere on the subject. In order for the painting to be a success, I must feel and portray the solid weight of a vase, the wisp of a cloud or the bend of the grasses. Today, the curious child in me still enjoys exploring, not passing casually by the things that I love, but stopping to know and record them with my oil paints. In a world full of chaos, I strive to create a respite for the soul.

What’s next for you? You’ve talked about giving your art an even bigger global audience. Can you share your strategy with the readers?

Sure. I’ve met lots of amazing people around the world through social media, and its paid off! Last year, I taught a ‘plein air’ painting workshop in Provence, France. Since then, I have had many requests to combine painting and social media workshops /seminars, which I will start in the spring. I would even like to host the first official ‘Great Twitter Paint-Out’ where Twitter artists can rendezvous – so stayed tuned for that! Now that I am nearly an empty nester, I can devote even more time to my fine art, blogging and social media careers. I will add more gallery shows to my schedule and will soon launch a series of small original oil paintings designed specifically for my internet collectors. Also, I plan to broadcast my own live painting shows from my studio via FineArtTips.com, and I will continue to produce informative videos for my artist community. The opportunities are exciting and seem endless as I continue to learn and teach others how to harness the power of this amazing new media. Nowadays, all I need is just a little more time!

How would you describe yourself in 140 characters or less?

Lori McNee: lover of Life, poetic painter, art blogger, quote junkie, friend to birds & animals, busy mom living a active mountain life!

To view some of Lori’s amazing paintings, check out her website. To read more about her artistic adventures, friend her on her Facebook page and follow her on her Twitter feed.

Author’s Note: In case you missed it, here’s Part 10 of the series: Live Free, and Tweet Smarter.